Modern Classics - Pulp Fiction

Back from the weeklong hiatus with a review of another
modern classic, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction!

This is one highly rated movie and controversial in some
ways because some people don’t see what the fuss is about, others say they like
it because they feel like they should and then you get the people who
absolutely adore it. You’ve probably
guessed already, but we’re in the latter of the categories.

The movie chronicles the lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a
gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits that intertwine in non linear
tales of violence and redemption. Jackson and Travolta are genius together and
deliver some of the most quotable lines imaginable. Thurman is an absolute
delight to watch and there is a stunning scene in Jack Rabbit Slim’s which is
one of the greatest movie moments of all time.

If you’re one of those indie people who like film you're
going to say you love Pulp Fiction purely because it's so highly regarded. So
we actually admire people brave enough to say "no I don't get it."
Because we forget film is subjective sometimes. Pulp Fiction may seem like 3
stories that are randomly hashed together in a film to some people. Whereas we
think it's a modern classic because the stories are not random at all and the
film is not so much about the watch and the briefcase.

By definition Pulp Fiction is lurid throw-away stories sold
to make money and for cheap entertainment. So in the films case, the drugs,
indignities, crime and gore is the type of thing you would find in these types
of books but the film is actually so much more than cheap pulp fiction.

Take Jules' quote for example…

"The path of the
righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the
tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will,
shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his
brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon
thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison
and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my
vengeance upon thee."

At multiple times during the film they are all the shepherd,
the weak and the evil. The characters trade positions and the moral is that no
one is any one of these things solely. At different points in the movie, all
the characters trade roles. Notably Honey Bunny and Pumpkin are very much
tyrants at the beginning, yet as a result of a string of choices, they are in a
very different position by the end of the movie. Therefore the stories are not
random but illustrate the point that we could all end up at the mercy of
someone else and conversely, someone could end up at the mercy of us.

Now that may all seem like drama school rubbish to you, but
the witty script, magnificent camera work, superb soundtrack, iconic acting and
Quentin's trademarks are very hard to discredit. Pretty certain most of you
will have watched this masterpiece, but if not: go for it, Pulp Fiction is not
just a modern classic, it's a classic.

Have your say: favourite Pulp Fiction character? You know
where to comment!